Abstract: A method and apparatus of image reconstruction attenuation correction in PET or SPECT cardiac imaging is provided. A volumetric attenuation imaging scan by an X-ray source may be used to generate a gamma ray attenuation map. The volumetric attenuation imaging scan may be randomized, and may be performed while the imaged subject is breathing.

Abstract: A pallet (10) for use with a gamma camera includes a rigid sheet (30) having a thickness (d) of less than six millimeters and a strength-enhancing curvature transverse to an axial direction (DA). At least a portion of an edge (32) of the rigid sheet has a bevel (B) with a length (x) along the sheet of at least about ten millimeters and a height (y) of at least about four-fifths of the sheet thickness. A protective covering (34) is disposed over the beveled edge. In a nuclear imaging method, a subject is disposed on the rigid sheet and a radiological image is acquired of at least a portion of the subject disposed on the sheet with at least one radiation detector head (8) positioned underneath or at an oblique angle below the subject. The bevel is effective to reduce or blur an edge artifact in the acquired image.

Abstract: A pallet (10) for use with a gamma camera includes a rigid sheet (30) having a thickness (d) of less than six millimeters and a strength-enhancing curvature transverse to an axial direction (DA). At least a portion of an edge (32) of the rigid sheet has a bevel (B) with a length (x) along the sheet of at least about ten millimeters and a height (y) of at least about four-fifths of the sheet thickness. A protective covering (34) is disposed over the beveled edge. In a nuclear imaging method, a subject is disposed on the rigid sheet and a radiological image is acquired of at least a portion of the subject disposed on the sheet with at least one radiation detector head (8) positioned underneath or at an oblique angle below the subject. The bevel is effective to reduce or blur an edge artifact in the acquired image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of image reconstruction attenuation correction in PET or SPECT cardiac imaging is provided. A volumetric attenuation imaging scan by an X-ray source may be used to generate a gamma ray attenuation map. The volumetric attenuation imaging scan may be randomized, and may be performed while the imaged subject is breathing.

Abstract: In an imaging method, mark positions are defined for one or more detector heads (10, 12) at one or more marked angular orientations (?A, ?B). The mark positions for at least one marked angular orientation (?B) include a tangential offset of at least one detector head. Imaging data are acquired using the one or more detector heads following a conformal trajectory passing through the defined mark positions. The acquired imaging data are reconstructed into a reconstructed image.

Abstract: A method (200) for setting up and performing a medical imaging session of a subject using a gamma camera (12, 52) includes selecting (208) an imaging procedure on an input terminal (72). A procedure table (76) is electronically accessed to retrieve at least one of: (1) an identification (210) of a collimator (30) to be used with a detector head (14, 54) in the selected imaging procedure; and (2) an initial imaging position of the detector head (14, 54) for the selected imaging procedure. A currently mounted collimator that is currently attached to the detector head (14, 54) is electronically identified. At least one of: (1) loading (216) the identified collimator onto the detector head (14, 54); and (2) positioning (220) the detector head in the identified initial imaging position, is automatically controlled.

Abstract: A gamma camera is provided in which the study protocol can be modified after the study has commenced and while event data is being acquired. In such a camera, study parameters such as the duration of the study, the number of image frames acquired, or the count criterion required to produce an image may be changed dynamically as the study proceeds. Thus, a nuclear study which is seen to be leading to unsatisfactory or less than optimal results may be altered during acquisition to increase the likelihood that diagnostically useful results will be produced.

Abstract: A method (200) for setting up and performing a medical imaging session of a subject using a gamma camera (12, 52) includes selecting (208) an imaging procedure on an input terminal (72). A procedure table (76) is electronically accessed to retrieve at least one of: (1) an identification (210) of a collimator (30) to be used with a detector head (14, 54) in the selected imaging procedure; and (2) an initial imaging position of the detector head (14, 54) for the selected imaging procedure. A currently mounted collimator that is currently attached to the detector head (14, 54) is electronically identified. At least one of: (1) loading (216) the identified collimator onto the detector head (14, 54); and (2) positioning (220) the detector head in the identified initial imaging position, is automatically controlled.

Abstract: A gamma camera is provided in which the study protocol can be modified after the study has commenced and while event data is being acquired. In such a camera, study parameters such as the duration of the study, the number of image frames acquired, or the count criterion required to produce an image may be changed dynamically as the study proceeds. Thus, a nuclear study which is seen to be leading to unsatisfactory or less than optimal results may be altered during acquisition to increase the likelihood that diagnostically useful results will be produced.